In the finale of the final week of the Women's World Cup, Japan showed jaw-dropping strength by defeating Spain in an emphatic 4-0 victory. Not only did this see them advance, but they also scored a total of 11 goals and conceded just one in the group stage, a perfect performance.
The Japanese team, known as the Yamato Nadeshiko, has always been known for their skill and excellent ball control. However, I especially appreciated their courage to try a more direct style of play. They were bold enough to make long passes and use the wings to launch quick counterattacks that left their opponents defenseless.
Hinata Miyazawa scored four goals, while Miminami Tanaka, Jun Endo and Riko Ueki also had their own contributions. The diversity of the forward line made the opponents feel a great threat. In addition, the Japanese team's shooting efficiency was extremely high. Although they did not have many chances against Spain, every shot was very threatening and eventually converted into goals.
The Norwegian team had an underwhelming performance in the group stage and will have to make a breakthrough in the knockout rounds. They will need to be disciplined and tight in defense to prevent Japan from gaining space. In the midfield, Viktoria will have to work hard to break up the Japanese attack. However, the Norwegian offense is also not to be underestimated, with Guro Leiden and Caroline Hansen playing key roles, and the team is also looking forward to the timely return of Higabaugh from injury.
